But playing one on TV’s what the doctor ordered
HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE FOR HIS PART IN BBC DRAMA landing her bucket-list role
diagnosed with having the HD gene, I had never heard of the condition. I started researching and discovered how devastating it was for families as there is a 50 per cent chance of the disease being passed from parents to children. I wanted to do all I could to raise awareness of HD, which is l ike having Alzheimer’s,
Parkinson’s and motor neurone disease all rolled into one. Last year I became the patron of the Huntington’s Association England & Wales and it was through them I met Gillian. She blew me away.”
Gillian, whose three daughters have not taken the test to determine whether they have the HD gene, said filming on
Casualty wasw one of the finest experiencesexp of her life. SheS said: “I had the best day.day The cast and crew madema me feel so welcome. It wasw a busman’s holiday for me to play a nurse. I startedstar nursing in 1986, the yyear Casualty started. I don’tdo watch any of the otheother soaps.”
GiGillian, whose late mum Myra also had HD, added: “I cacan’t describe what it meanmeans to me and others that a mainstream show is covercovering our illness and doing it justice. One storyline shows Ethan struggling with telling his partner about his HD and revealing their baby will be at risk – this is the grim reality facing a lot of families.” Gil l ian, a Scottish Huntington’s trustee, hailed star George, who has raised more than £6000 for Huntington’s charities by doing an ultra-marathon. She said: “He has gone above and beyond raising both awareness and funds.” Gillian has also brought a staggering amount of awareness to the disease, which has seen her conquer every rollercoaster in the UK, brave fire and wing walks and skydive from 10,000ft to raise £20,000 for Scottish Huntington’s Association (hdscotland.org).
George, who is married to Scots actress Jaimi Barbakoff and has two sons, is also backing Gillian’s latest venture, which takes place next month in Glasgow’s George Square. Dance 100 will see hundreds of people take to the city for a boogie to a 100-strong playlist on June 12.
George, who got the Casualty cast to make a promo video for the event, said: “Having met so many incredible people living with HD, I want to do as much as I can to raise awareness.”
Gillian remains asymptomatic of the condition but had to watch her mum’s gradual decl ine. Gillian, who was crowned Caring Champion at our Scotland’s Champion’s Awards last year, said: “I just want to keep raising awareness and funds until I can no longer do it physically or mentally.”